Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen has battled coronavirus, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports. That makes Allen the first current NFL player to test positive for the virus.
Per Glazer:
First active NFL player to test positive for the corona virus, Rams C Brian Allen, told me he tested positive for COVID-19 three weeks ago and then again early last week.
Lost all smell and taste to where he couldn’t even smell an ammonia smelling-salt. Has no taste. Then the flu began. Says he’s now finally symptom-free and thankfully expecting the “all clear” this week!
Rams had to close their facility weeks ago to injured players (facilities are only open for medical) but are able to re-open next week.
Allen told Glazer he lost his sense of taste and smell first and then suffered other impacts of the virus. He was selected by the Rams in the fourth round (111th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Michigan State. Allen was re-tested and remained positive. He believes he will be cleared Thursday.
“My case wasn’t as bad,” Glazer said Allen told him.
Doctors told Allen it could be anywhere from 6-8 months before he regains his senses of taste and smell.
The 6-foot-2, 303-pound Allen is 24 years old.
“He is feeling good and on the road to recovery,” Rams coach Sean McVay told Glazer.
Once Allen tested positive, the Rams had to shut down the facility. It has been closed for the last couple weeks as McVay said the team “was being smart and safe.
“They are going to keep safe with social distancing.”
Allen is the first active player to have the virus. Saints coach Sean Payton also suffered coronavirus and self-quarantined.
Former Jacksonville Jaguar Tony Boselli and his son, Andrew, a Florida State lineman, are recovering after serious cases of COVID-19.
